Water Treatment System and Method

ABSTRACT

The invention in at least one embodiment includes a system for treating water having an intake module, a vortex module, a disk-pack module, and a motor module where the intake module is above the vortex module, which is above the disk-pack module and the motor module. In a further embodiment, a housing is provided over at least the intake module and the vortex module and sits above the disk-pack module. In at least one further embodiment, the disk-pack module includes a disk-pack turbine having a plurality of disks having at least one waveform present on at least one of the disks.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application Ser.No. 61/526,834, filed Aug. 24, 2011 entitled “Water Treatment System andMethod for Use in Storage Containers” and U.S. provisional ApplicationSer. No. 61/604,484, filed Feb. 28, 2012 entitled “Water TreatmentSystem and Method for Use in Storage Containers”, which are both herebyincorporated by reference.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention in at least one embodiment relates to a system and methodfor use in treating water.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a system including amotor module having a base; a disk-pack module having a disk-packturbine in rotational engagement with the motor module; a vortex modulein fluid communication with the disk-pack turbine; an intake module influid communication with the vortex module; a plurality of conduitsconnecting the vortex module to the intake module; and a plurality ofsupport members connected to the disk-pack module, the vortex module,and the intake module such that the intake module is above the vortexmodule and the disk-pack module. In a further embodiment, the systemfurther includes a housing cover connected to at least one of theplurality of support members, the housing cover including a bottomopening and a cavity in which the intake module and the vortex modulereside, and wherein the housing cover and a top surface of the disk-packmodule are spaced from each other forming a passageway in fluidcommunication with the bottom opening, and wherein a fluid pathway runsfrom the passageway through the opening and the cavity to the intakemodule. In either of the above embodiments, the system is installed in awater storage container.

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a system including amotor module having a base; a disk-pack module having a disk-packturbine in rotational engagement with the motor module; a vortex modulein fluid communication with the disk-pack turbine; an intake module influid communication with the vortex module; a plurality of conduitsconnecting the vortex module to the intake module; and a plurality ofsupport members connected to the disk-pack module and the vortex module,and at least one of the plurality of conduits and the plurality ofsupport members is connected between the vortex module and the intakemodule such that the intake module is above the vortex module and thedisk-pack module. In a further embodiment, the system further includes ahousing over at least some of the components or substantially all of thecomponents where the housing can be selected from any of the varioushousings described and/or illustrated in this disclosure. In a furtherembodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the system furtherincludes any of the means for filtering as described and/or illustratedin this disclosure. In a further embodiment to any of the previousembodiments, the intake module includes an intake screen with aplurality of openings, an intake housing defining an intake chamber, anda plurality of intake outlets in fluid communication with the intakechamber with each intake outlet in fluid communication with the vortexmodule through a respective conduit. In a further embodiment to any ofthe previous embodiments, the vortex module includes a housing defininga vortex chamber with an outlet axially aligned with the disk-packturbine, and a plurality of inlets in fluid communication with thevortex chamber. In a further embodiment to any of the previousembodiments, the motor module includes a motor and a driveshaftconnected to the motor and the disk-pack turbine in any of the waysdescribed and/or illustrated in this disclosure. In a further embodimentto any of the previous embodiments, the disk-pack module includes aturbine housing defining an accumulation chamber in which the disk-packturbine resides; and a discharge housing defining a discharge chamber influid communication with the accumulation chamber through a dischargechannel and a discharge outlet in fluid communication with the dischargechamber. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, thedisk-pack module further includes a supplemental inlet in fluidcommunication with the accumulation chamber. In a further embodiment tothe previous two embodiments, the accumulation chamber includes anexpanding discharge channel around its periphery from a first point to adischarge passageway leading to the discharge chamber. In a furtherembodiment to any of the previous three embodiments, the accumulationchamber is at least one of a modified torus shape or a scarab shape,which may include the golden mean. In a further embodiment to theprevious five embodiments, the discharge housing includes at least oneof a spiral protrusion running around a wall of the discharge chamber inan upward direction towards said discharge outlet and a spiralprotrusion running around a wall of the discharge chamber in a downwarddirection towards the particulate discharge port. In a furtherembodiment to the prior embodiment, the discharge outlet includes aradius flared outwardly wall. In a further embodiment to any of theprevious embodiments, the disk-pack turbine includes a plurality ofnon-flat disks. In a further embodiment to any of the previousembodiments in this paragraph, the disk-pack turbine includes aplurality of disks each having at least two waveforms present between acenter of the disk and a periphery of the disk. In a further embodimentto any of the previous two embodiments, the waveform is selected from agroup consisting of sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series ofinterconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms,hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial including combinations of these. In afurther embodiment to any of the previous three embodiments, thedisk-pack turbine includes a plurality of wing shims connecting thedisks. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments inthis paragraph, the disk-pack turbine includes a top rotor and a lowerrotor. In a further embodiment to the previous embodiment, the top rotorand the lower rotor include cavities.

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a system including amotor; a disk-pack module having a housing having a cavity, and adisk-pack turbine in rotational engagement with the motor, the disk-packturbine located within the cavity of the housing, the disk-pack turbinehaving a plurality of disks spaced apart from each other and each diskhaving an axially centered opening passing therethrough with theplurality of openings defining at least in part an expansion chamber; avortex module having a vortex chamber in fluid communication with theexpansion chamber of the disk-pack turbine; a plurality of conduits influid communication with the vortex chamber of the vortex module; anintake module having a whirlpool chamber in fluid communication with thevortex chamber through the conduits; and a plurality of support membersconnected to the disk-pack module and the vortex module, and at leastone of the plurality of conduits and the plurality of support members isconnected between the vortex module and the intake module such that theintake module is above the vortex module and the disk-pack module. In afurther embodiment, the system further includes a discharge housingdefining a discharge chamber in fluid communication with the disk-packhousing cavity (or accumulation chamber) through a discharge channel anda discharge outlet in fluid communication with the discharge chamber. Ina further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the cavity inthe housing includes an expanding discharge channel around its peripheryfrom a first point to a discharge passageway leading to the dischargechamber. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, thecavity of the housing is at least one of a modified torus shape or ascarab shape, which may include the golden mean. In a further embodimentto any of the previous embodiments, the disk-pack turbine includes aplurality of non-flat disks. In a further embodiment to any of theprevious embodiments in this paragraph, the disk-pack turbine includes aplurality of disks each having at least two waveforms present between acenter of the disk and a periphery of the disk. In a further embodimentto any of the previous two embodiments, the waveform is selected from agroup consisting of sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series ofinterconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms,hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial including combinations of these. In afurther embodiment to any of the previous three embodiments, thedisk-pack turbine includes a plurality of wing shims connecting thedisks. In a further embodiment to any of the previous embodiments inthis paragraph, the disk-pack turbine includes a top rotor and a lowerrotor. In a further embodiment to the previous embodiment, the top rotorand the lower rotor include cavities.

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a method of operationfor each of the above-described system embodiments.

The invention provides in at least one embodiment a method includingdrawing water into a whirlpool chamber for creation of a whirlpoolallowing particulate, precipitated matter and/or concentrated solidspresent in the water to drop from the water as the water enters at leastone of a plurality of conduits; forming a vortex flow of the water in avortex chamber that receives the water from the plurality of conduits,wherein the vortex chamber is located below the whirlpool chamber;discharging the water into an expansion chamber defined in a disk-packturbine; channeling the water between spaces that exist between disks ofthe disk-pack turbine to travel from the expansion chamber to anaccumulation chamber surrounding the disk-pack turbine; routing thewater through the accumulation chamber to a discharge chamber; andforming a vortical flow of the water up through the discharge chamberback into an environment from which the water was drawn and a downwardflow of particulate and/or precipitated matter to a particulatedischarge port. In a further embodiment, the method further includesdrawing water into a housing that encloses the whirlpool chamber and thevortex chamber where the housing draws the water from below a height ofthe vortex chamber. In a further embodiment to any of the previousembodiments, the method further includes removing solids from thewhirlpool chamber, which in at least one embodiment causes particulatematter to concentrate at the center and descend and be ejected through asolids port at the bottom of the whirlpool chamber. In a furtherembodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the vortical flow of thewater includes a significant volume of vortical solitons that areproduced by the system and flow into the environment containing thewater.

Given the following enabling description of the drawings, the systemshould become evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical orfunctionally similar elements. The use of cross-hatching (or lackthereof) and shading within the drawings is not intended as limiting thetype of materials that may be used to manufacture the invention.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a variety of external views of an embodimentaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate different cross-sections of the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and are taken at 5-5 and 6-6, respectively, inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate a variety of views of the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-4 without a housing module including perspective and side views.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative (without a cover) to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 7-9.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate views of an upper disk-pack turbine housingincluding a top view, a cross-section view, and a bottom view.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate views of a lower disk-pack turbine housingincluding a top view and a side view.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment according to theinvention.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a lower cover according to theembodiment of the invention illustrated, for example, in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of a bottom plate according to theembodiment of the invention illustrated, for example, in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrates side and top views of another coverembodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-section of a cover according to anembodiment of the invention taken at 17/18-17/18 in FIG. 16B.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-section of another cover according to anembodiment of the invention taken at 17/18-17/18 in FIG. 16B.

FIGS. 19A-19C illustrates an alternative housing module according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of a system with a cylinder filteraccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21A illustrates a screen for use in at least one embodimentaccording to the invention.

FIGS. 21B and 21C illustrate the screen installed in a system accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22A illustrates a filter sponge (or other filter medium) for use inat least one embodiment according to the invention. FIG. 22B illustratesthe filter sponge installed in a system according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate another embodiment according to theinvention.

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate another embodiment according to theinvention.

FIGS. 25-27 illustrate different precipitate collection containerembodiments according to the invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates a further precipitate collection containerembodiment according to the invention.

FIGS. 29A and 29B illustrate a further precipitate collection containerembodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 30A illustrates an alternative wing shim embodiment installed in apartial disk-pack.

FIG. 30B illustrates a side view of a support member of the wing shimillustrated in FIG. 30A. FIG. 30C illustrates a top view of a supportmember of the wing shim illustrated in FIG. 30A.

FIGS. 31A and 31B illustrate a waveform disk pack turbine exampleaccording to at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 32A-32E illustrate a waveform disk pack turbine example accordingto at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 33 illustrates another embodiment according to the invention.

FIGS. 34A and 34B depict images of the water after it exits thedischarge outlet of a prototype built according to at least oneembodiment of the invention.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-12B illustrate example embodiments according to the invention.The illustrated systems in at least one embodiment are for treatingwater that is relatively free of debris such as water present in waterstorage containers and systems, pools, industrial process systems,cooling towers and systems, municipal and/or tanker supplied water, andwell water that are examples of environments from which water can bedrawn. In further embodiments, there are additional filter structuresaround the intakes of the water treatment system such as a screen box orring and/or filter material. Although the non-limiting embodimentsdescribed herein are directed at water, water should be understood as anexample of a fluid, which covers both liquids and gases capable offlowing through a system. The illustrated system includes a housingmodule 500, an intake module 400, a vortex module 100, a disk-packmodule 200, and a motor module 300. Although not illustrated, thehousing module 500 in at least one embodiment further includesadditional structure built around the system to cover and hidecomponents of the system from visual inspection as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 13.

Most of the illustrated and discussed systems have similar modes ofoperation that include drawing water into a whirlpool (or intake)chamber for creation of a whirlpool allowing particulate, precipitatedmatter and/or concentrated solids present in the water to drop from thewater as the water enters at least one of a plurality of conduits thatconnect to a vortex chamber where a vortex flow, which in at least oneembodiment is a vortex, of the water is formed prior to being dischargedinto an expansion chamber present in a disk-pack turbine. The water ischanneled away from the expansion chamber into the spaces that existbetween disks of the disk-pack turbine to travel to an accumulationchamber surrounding the disk-pack turbine where the water is accumulateand circulated into a discharge channel that leads to a dischargechamber. The discharge chamber in at least one embodiment forms avortical flow of the water up through the discharge chamber back into anenvironment from which the water was drawn and a downward flow ofparticulate and/or precipitated matter to a particulate discharge port.In some further embodiments, the mode of operation includes drawingwater into a housing that at least substantially encloses the whirlpoolchamber and the vortex chamber where the housing draws the water frombelow a height of the vortex chamber such as around the disk-packturbine module or from below an elevated base of the motor module. In afurther embodiment to any of the previous embodiments, the methodfurther includes removing solids from the whirlpool chamber, which in atleast one embodiment causes particulate matter to concentrate at thecenter and descend and be ejected through a solids port at the bottom ofthe whirlpool chamber. In a further embodiment to any of the previousembodiments, the vortical flow of the water includes a significantvolume of vortical solitons that are produced by the system and flowinto the environment containing the water.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an example of a housing module 500 including acover 520 that covers the intake module 400 and the vortex module 100.The housing module 500 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5 includes aplurality of support members 524 and 526 that align and support thevortex module 100, the intake module 400, and the cover 520. The supportmembers (or bosses) 524 in at least one embodiment are incorporated intoa top of the disk-pack housing 220 and spaced around it forming asubstantially circular pattern (although other arrangements could beused) as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 11A. The support members 526attach to the support members 524 and extend up through connectionpoints such as mounting ears and/or holes 119 (see, e.g., FIG. 7) on thevortex housing 120, the intake housing 420 and the cover 520 and stop ateither the vortex housing 120 or the intake housing 420. In at least oneembodiment the support members 524 are connected to at least onehousing/cover with bolts, screws, adhesive, interlocking engagement suchas threaded or keyed sections, and the like as illustrated, for example,in FIGS. 5 and 6. In at least one embodiment, the support members 526 donot all extend up to the cover 520. In further embodiments, the supportmembers 526 are multi-part. In a further embodiment as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 10, the support members do not run between the vortexhousing 120 and the intake housing 420, but instead the conduits 490provides the support between these housings. In a still furtherembodiment, the support members 526 are omitted from above the intakehousing 420 and the cover 520 is supported by posts extending up fromthe disk pack housing 220 or it rests on the disk pack housing 220 oranother housing structure. In a still further embodiment, the supportmembers 526 act as guide rails for lowering the vortex module 100 asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 9 and the intake module 400 onto thedisk-pack module 100 and in a further embodiment the cover 520 isattached to the top or proximate to the top of the support members 526.

In the illustrated embodiment in FIG. 1, the cover 520 includes arecessed area around the discharge outlet (or discharge manifold) 232 toallow for the flow of water up and away from the discharge outlet 232.Based on this disclosure, it should be appreciated that the dischargeoutlet 232 could be spaced further from the cover 520 resulting in therecessed area being smaller or omitted entirely. In a furtherembodiment, the discharge outlet 232 extends further up along the cover520. In a still further embodiment, the discharge outlet 232 extendsabove the cover 520.

In addition, the cover 520 of the housing module 500 and the top of thedisk-pack module 200 define the inlet (or opening) 522 for water to bepulled into the system as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1. In afurther embodiment, the cover 520 is fitted against the disk packturbine module 200 or a further housing as illustrated, for example, inFIG. 13 to draw water from a lower area in the container (e.g., belowthe intake module and/or the vortex module) in which the system isoperating where water is drawn up from below the system through aplurality of openings 532 present in the top of a lower cover 530illustrated, for example, in FIG. 14 and a plurality of openings 542present in a bottom plate 540 illustrated, for example, in FIG. 15. Inyet further embodiments, the cover 520 may take a variety of othershapes to that illustrated in the Figures such as a substantially boxshape, a fulcrum shape, and a substantially spherical shape. In at leastone embodiment, the cover 520 allows for operation of the system inshallower water than the height of the intake catch 425. In at least oneembodiment, the larger and heavier solids that are present in the waterthat make it past, for example, the inlet 522 or the openings 542 willdrop out of the upward flow of the water within the cover 520.

The water flows in at the inlet 522 (or through the openings 542) and upto an intake catch 425 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6.The water after entering the intake catch 425 enters into the intakechamber 430 through the intake screen 426, which forms a substantialportion of the bottom of the intake catch 425 as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 7. The screen blocks material and other debris above acertain size based on the size of the openings in the screen 426.

As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5, the intake chamber 430 includesa substantially parabaloid shape upper section that narrows into asolids outlet 438 to collect particulate, precipitated solids, and/orconcentrated solids from the intake chamber 430. In at least oneembodiment, the chamber shape encourages rotational movement in thewater to form a whirlpool in the intake chamber 430 with a funnel shapefrom the negative pressure in the disk pack turbine 250 pulling throughthe vortex chamber 130 and the conduits 490, and the resulting whirlpoolprecipitates solids present in the water into the solids outlet 438. Thesolids outlet 438 in at least one embodiment connects to a hose (orconduit) 590 that is routed out through an opening 528 in the cover 520(see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3). In at least one embodiment, the precipitatedsolids are deposited external to the system. In a further embodiment,the conduit 590 travels to a point external to the environment in whichthe system is installed, while in other embodiments a catch (orprecipitated collection) container 600 (see, e.g., FIGS. 23A-27) orother type of catch container (see, e.g., FIGS. 28-29B) is used tocollect the precipitated solids for later removal. An alternativeexample of the conduit 590A is illustrated in FIG. 10 where the conduitalso acts as a support between the intake chamber 430 and the vortexchamber 130.

As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5, near the top of the intakechamber 430, there are a plurality of outlets 432 connected to theconduits 490. The outlets 432 in at least one embodiment extendtangentially away from the intake chamber 430 in a counterclockwisedirection as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 7. Although the conduits490 are illustrated as pipes, based on this disclosure it should beappreciated that the conduits can take a variety of forms while stillproviding a passageway connecting the outlets 432 to the vortex chamberinlets 132. One alternative for the illustrated conduits 490 is the useof flexible conduit. In a still further embodiment, the conduits 490could spiral around to one of the other vortex inlets instead of asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 7-10.

As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vortex inductionchamber 130 is a cavity formed inside a housing 120 of the vortex module100 to shape the in-flowing water into a through-flowing vortex that isfed into the disk-pack module 200. The illustrated vortex chamber 130includes a structure that funnels the water into a vortex upper section134 having a bowl (or modified concave hyperbolic) shape for receivingthe water that opens into a lower section 136 having a conical-like (orfunnel) shape with a steep vertical angle of change that opens into thedisk-pack module 200. The vortex chamber 130 in at least one embodimentserves to accumulate, accelerate, stimulate and concentrate the water asit is drawn into the disk-pack module 200 via centrifugal suction. In atleast one embodiment, the vortex chamber 130 is formed by a wall 137.The sides of the wall 137 follow a long radial path in the verticaldescending direction from a top to an opening 138 that reduces thehorizontal area defined by the sides of the wall 137 as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 5.

As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the illustrated housing120 of the vortex module 100 includes a two-part configuration with acap 122 and a main body 124. The cap 122 and the main body 124 can beattached in a variety of ways including, for example, with screws,bolts, adhesive, interlocking engagement such as threaded or keyedsections, the support members 526, etc. In at least one embodiment, thecap 122 and the main body 124 form the vortex inlets 132 when assembledtogether. In an alternative embodiment, the cap 122 is illustrated ashaving the top portion of the vortex chamber 130 formed by a concentricconcave depression 1222 on the inside face of the cap 122. The cap 122and the main body 124 together form the plurality of vortex inlets 132.Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art shouldunderstand that the vortex housing could have different configurationsof housing components while still providing a vortex chamber in which avortex flow can be established.

The main body 124 is illustrated as having a passageway passingvertically through it to form the lower portion 136 of the vortexchamber 130. The main body 124 in at least one embodiment is attached tothe disk-pack housing 220 with the same support members 526 used toattach the cap 122 to the main body 124 as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 5-9. Other examples for attaching the main body 124 to thedisk-pack module 200 include adhesive, screws, and interlockingengagement such as threaded or keyed sections, and friction engagement.In at least one embodiment, the main body 124 sits in and/or on the diskpack turbine module 200.

In at least one embodiment illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5, as therotating, charging water passes through the base discharge opening 138of the vortex induction chamber 130 it is exposed to a depressive/vacuumcondition as it enters into the revolving expansion and distributionchamber (or expansion chamber) 252 in the disk-pack module 200 asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6. The disk-pack module 200includes (or forms) the revolving expansion chamber 252 that isillustrated as having an oval/elliptical/egg-shape chamber that includesa curved bottom portion provided by a rigid feature 2522 incorporatedinto the bottom rotor 268 of the disk-pack turbine 250 in at least oneembodiment. Most of the volumetric area for the expansion chamber 252 isformed by the center holes in the separated stacked disks 260 whichserve as water inlet and distribution ports for the stacked diskchambers 262 where each chamber is formed between two neighboring disks.The top portion of the expansion chamber 252 roughly mirrors the bottomwith the addition of an opening passing through an upper rotor 264 thatis bordered by a curved structure. The opening is centered axially withthe vortex induction chamber outlet 138 above it as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 5, providing a pathway through which the water can passbetween the two respective chambers. In at least one embodiment, theexpansion chamber 252 has a substantially egg shape.

An example of a disk-pack turbine 250 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.The illustrated disk-pack turbine 250 includes the top rotor 264, aplurality of stacked disks 260, and the bottom rotor 268 having aconcave radial depression 2522 that provides a bottom for the expansionchamber 252. The illustrated bottom rotor 268 includes a motor hub 269,which in some embodiments may be integrally formed with the bottom rotor268. The motor hub 269 provides the interface to couple the disk-packturbine 250 to the drive shaft 314 extending from the motor module 300as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5. The top rotor 264, the bottomrotor 268, and/or the motor hub 269 are coupled to the housing 220 witha bearing element (or a bushing) 280 or have a bearing incorporated intothe piece to allow for substantially reduced rotational friction of thedisk-pack turbine 250 relative to the housing as driven by the driveshaft 314 and the motor 310.

Centrifugal suction created by water progressing from the innerdisk-pack chamber openings, which are the holes in the center of thedisks 260 illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5, toward the periphery ofthe disk chambers 262 establishes the primary dynamics that draw,progress, pressurize and discharge fluid from the disk-pack turbine 250.The viscous molecular boundary layer present on the rotating disksurfaces provides mechanical advantage relative to impelling waterthrough and out of the disk-pack turbine 250.

In at least one embodiment, the disk-pack turbine includes a pluralityof wing-shims 270 (illustrated in FIG. 6) spaced near (or at) the outeredge of the individual disks 260. Examples of wing-shims are provided inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/213,614 published as U.S. Pat. App.Pub. No. 2012/0048813, which is hereby incorporated by reference inconnection with the disclosed wing-shims 270 et seq. The wing-shimsprovide structure and support for the disks 260 in the disk-pack turbine250 and in at least one embodiment are responsible for maintaining diskpositions and separation tolerances. The disk separation provides space(or disk chambers) 262 through which water travels from the expansionchamber 252 to the accumulation chamber 230. In an alternativeembodiment, the wing shims are located around and proximate to theexpansion chamber 252. In at least one embodiment, the wing shims assistthe creation of a negative pressure without sheering of or formingcavitations in the water and assist the movement of the water into theaccumulation chamber.

The disk-pack turbine 250 is held in place by the housing 220 of thedisk-pack module 200 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5. The housing220 includes an accumulation chamber 230 in which the disk-pack turbine250 rotates. The accumulation chamber 230 is illustrated, for example,in FIGS. 5, 6, and 11A-12B as having a modified torus shape or scarabshape, which may include the golden mean, (or in an alternativeembodiment a hyperbolic paraboloid cross-section) that leads to adischarge outlet 232 on the outside periphery of the housing 220. Inthis illustrated embodiment, there is one discharge outlet 232, but oneor more discharge outlets 232 may be added and, in at least oneembodiment, the discharge outlets 232 are equally spaced around thehousing periphery.

Once the fluid passes through the disk-pack turbine 250, it enters theaccumulation chamber 230 in which the disk-pack turbine 250 rotates. Theaccumulation chamber 230 is an ample, over-sized chamber within thedisk-pack module 200 as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5. Theaccumulation chamber 230 gathers the fluid after it has passed throughthe disk-pack turbine 250. The highly energetic water with concentratedmixed motion smoothly transitions to be discharged at low pressure andlow linear velocity (with a large velocity in at least one embodimentwithin the motion including micro-vortices) through the discharge outlet232 back into the environment from which the water was taken. Asillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shape of theaccumulation chamber 230 is designed to provide its shortest heightproximate to the perimeter of the disk-pack turbine 250. Beyond theshortest height there is a discharge channel 231 that directs the wateraround to the discharge outlet 232 and also in at least one embodimentprovides for the space to augment the water in the accumulation chamber230 through an optional supplemental inlet 290. The discharge channel231 has a substantially elliptical cross-section (although othercross-sections are possible) as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5. Theaccumulation chamber wall in at least one embodiment closes up to theperimeter of the disk pack turbine 250 at a point proximate to thedischarge channel 231 exits the accumulation chamber 230 to provide apassageway that travels towards a discharge chamber 2324.

The illustrated housing 220 includes a top section 2202 and a bottomsection 2204 that together form the housing and the illustratedaccumulation chamber 230 with a discharge channel 231 extendingsubstantially around the periphery of the accumulation chamber 230.FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate the top section 2202, while FIGS. 12A and 12Billustrate the bottom section 2204. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, thebottom section 2204 includes a particulate discharge port 2326 that inat least one embodiment includes a spiraling protrusion 2327illustrated, for example, in FIG. 12A.

FIGS. 11A-12B illustrate the presence of the supplemental inlet 290 intothe accumulation chamber 230 to augment the water present in theaccumulation chamber 230. As illustrated, the supplemental inlet 290enters the accumulation chamber 230 at a point just after the dischargechannel 231 extends away from the accumulation chamber 230 to routefluid towards the discharge chamber 2324. As illustrated in FIG. 12A,the supplemental inlet 290 includes a curved bottom 2922 that extendsout from an inlet feed chamber 292 into the start of the dischargechannel 231 as it expands and travels in a counter-clockwise directionaway from the accumulation chamber 230 and the supplemental inlet 290.In at least one embodiment, the inlet feed chamber 292 shapes theincoming flow of water from the supplemental inlet 290 to augment thecounter-clockwise flow of water in the accumulation chamber 230 and thedischarge channel 231. In at least one embodiment, this is accomplishedby the creation of a vortical flow in the inlet feed chamber 292. In atleast one embodiment, the supplemental inlet 290 includes an optionalvalve 294 to control the level of augmentation as illustrated, forexample, in FIGS. 2 and 3. Although the value 294 is illustrated asbeing a manual valve, it should be understood based on this disclosurethat the valve could be electronically controlled in at least oneembodiment. In a further embodiment the supplemental inlet 290 isomitted as it is being an optional component to the illustrated system.

As illustrated, for example, in FIG. 5, the discharge outlet 232includes a housing 2322 having a discharge chamber 2324 that furtheraugments the spin and rotation of the water being discharged as thewater moves upwards in an approximately egg-shaped compartment. In analternative embodiment, the output of the discharge outlet 232 is routedto another location other than from where the water was drawn into thesystem from. In at least one embodiment as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 2322 includes an upper housing 2322′, whichcan be a separate piece or integrally formed with housing 2322 thatdefines an expanding diameter cavity for discharging the water from thesystem. The discharge chamber 2324 includes a particulate discharge port2326 that connects to a conduit 592 to remove from the system, forexample, particulate, precipitated matter and/or concentrated solidsthat have precipitated out of the water during processing and to routeit away from the system in at least one embodiment. In at least oneembodiment, the shape of the discharge chamber 2324 facilitates thecreation of a vortex exit flow for material out through the particulatedischarge port 2326 and a vortex exit flow for the water out through thedischarge outlet 232 forming multiple vortical solitons that float upand away from the discharge outlet 232 spinning and in many casesmaintaining a relative minimum distance amongst themselves asillustrated in FIGS. 34A and 34B. The vortical solitons in thisembodiment continue in motion in the container in which they aredischarged until they are interrupted by another object.

In at least one embodiment, the discharge chamber 2324 includes at leastone spiraling protrusion 2325 (illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 5 and11C) that extends from just above (or proximate) the intake (ordischarge port or junction between the passageway coming from theaccumulation chamber 230 and the discharge chamber 2324) 2321 (see FIG.11C) into the discharge chamber 2324 up through or at least to thedischarge outlet 232 (and/or upper housing 2322′ illustrated in, forexample, FIG. 5) to encourage additional rotation in the water prior todischarge. In at least one embodiment, the spiraling protrusion 2325extends up through the discharge outlet 232. The spiraling protrusion2325 in at least one embodiment spirals upward in a counterclockwisedirection when viewed from above; however, based on this disclosure itshould be appreciated that the direction of the spiral could beclockwise, for example, if these system were used in the southernhemisphere.

In at least one embodiment, the discharge chamber 2324 includes at leastone (second or particulate) spiraling protrusion 2327 that extends fromjust below and/or proximate to the intake 2321 down through thedischarge chamber 2324 towards the particulate discharge port 2326 asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 12A. When viewed from above in FIG.12A, the spiraling protrusion 2327 spirals in a counter-clockwisedirection; however, based on this disclosure it should be appreciatedthat the direction of the spiral could be clockwise, for example, if thesystem were used in the southern hemisphere. Based on this disclosure,it should be understood that one or both of the spiraling protrusions2325, 2327 could be used in at least one embodiment. In an alternativeembodiment to the above protrusion embodiments, the protrusions arereplaced by grooves formed in the discharge chamber wall.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the discharge chamber's diameter shrinks as itapproaches the upper housing 2322′, which as illustrated includes a longradii expanding back out to decompress the discharged water for returnto the storage tank or other water source. In an alternative embodiment,the long radii begins proximate to the intake 2321 in the dischargechamber 2324. This structure in at least one embodiment provides for aconvergence of flow of water prior to a divergence back out of the flowof water.

The base of the systems illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 1-10B is themotor module 300 that includes a housing 320 with an outwardly extendingbase 324 having a plurality of feet 322 spaced around the periphery ofthe base 324 to provide support and distribute the weight of the systemout further to provide stability in at least one embodiment. The motorhousing 320 substantially encloses the motor 310; however, asillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 10, and 13, there may be multiple openings326 through which water can pass and cool the motor in at least oneembodiment. The motor housing 320 provides the base on which thedisk-pack module 200 rests and is connected to by bolts or the likeconnection members.

FIGS. 16A-18C illustrate additional housing module embodiments accordingto the invention. FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a side and top view of acover configuration embodiment that would cover the examples illustratedin FIGS. 17 and 18. The cover is separated into a base cover 520A and anupper cover 521A that are joined on a horizontal plane such as proximateto the top of the discharge port recess in the cover 520A. There are avariety of ways to hold the base cover 520A and the upper cover 521Atogether including, for example, frictional fit; adhesives or sealants;a plurality of screws, bolts, and/or rivets spaced around the perimeterof the joining area between the components; and/or downward pressureprovided by the attachment of the upper cover 521A to support memberspresent within the cover at optional bosses 5212A with these examplesincluding or not including a O-ring or other gasket. FIG. 16A alsoprovides an illustration of the base cover 520A attached to, connectedto or abutting the lower cover 530. FIG. 17 illustrates an example ofwhere the upper cover 521A includes a lip (or flange) that fits over thetop of the base cover 520A. Although an O-ring is not illustrated, anO-ring could be added to the engagement area to further seal the cover.FIG. 18 illustrates a base cover 520B that includes around its top achannel 5206B for receiving a bottom of the upper cover 521B and anoptional O-ring 5218B. These illustrated covers allow for the uppercover to be removed in order to gain access to the intake module andvortex module that are housed within the base cover and the lower cover.As discussed previously, this access in some embodiments would allow forremoval of these components from the cover, for example, for inspection,replacement, and/or repair.

FIGS. 19A-19C illustrate another approach for the cover 520C thatincludes two halves 5202C, 5204C that are substantially mirrors of eachother except for the inclusion of an optional opening 298 for theoptional supplemental inlet to pass. The illustrated cover includes whatpreviously has been illustrated as a cover, a lower cover, and a lowerplate (see, e.g., FIGS. 13-15). An alternative embodiment would be toomit the lower plate 540C from the other components in the cover 520C.In at least one embodiment, the cover 5202C, 5204C includes a flange (oralternatively a plurality of attachment ears) 5206C with a plurality ofmounting holes to attach and secure the two covers 5202C, 5204Ctogether. FIGS. 19A-19C also illustrate the presence of optionalmounting bosses 5212C for securing to any support members that arepresent and the illustrated mounting bosses 5212C provide an example ofhow these might be arranged if present.

Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that there are a variety of ways that the cover may beconfigured for assembly and manufacturing.

FIGS. 20-22B illustrate optional filter/screen alternative embodimentsfor blocking debris that may be present in the water from entering thesystem. FIG. 20 illustrates a substantially cylindrical screen 550fitted between the cover 520D and the lower cover 530 (i.e., overopening 522) to allow water to be drawn through it for processing by thesystem while blocking debris larger than the openings (or slots) presentin the screen 550. In at least one embodiment, the screen 550 includes aplurality of evenly spaced vertical slots.

FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate a different screen 560 that is substantiallyflat and is illustrated as being U-shaped to fit around the motorhousing 320. Either the lower plate 540E (illustrated in FIGS. 21B and21C) or the lower cover 530 (not illustrated) includes a flange member(or bracket) 548 on either side to receive the screen 560 and hold it inplace. In at least one embodiment, the screen 560 includes a handle 562that allows for easier insertion and removal of the screen 560 from thesystem. FIG. 21C also illustrates how in at least one embodiment, thelower plate 540E does not include openings passing through it outsidethe area over which the screen 560 covers.

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate another embodiment that uses a filtermaterial 570 that is porous and allows for water to pass through it.Examples of such material include swamp (or evaporative) cooler wettingmaterial and/or a filter-sponge. In a further embodiment, the filtermaterial 570 includes interweaved wire or other support structure toimprove the integrity of the material. In at least one embodiment, thefilter material 570 includes a slit (or cut) 572 that improves theability to insert the filter material 570 into the space defined by thelower plate 540 and the lower cover 530 while fitting around the motorhousing 320 that houses motor 310. In a further embodiment, the filtermaterial 570 includes a cut-out to fit around the discharge chamber 2324that extends into the lower cover 530.

The above screens and filter material are collectively examples of meansfor filtering. In further embodiment, the means for filtering includesthe various openings and inlets present in the housing modules 500discussed above.

FIGS. 23A-24B illustrate two different examples of how to connect theconduits 590, 592 to the precipitate collection module 600. FIGS. 23Aand 23B illustrate a Y-connection between the conduits with just oneconduit running into the precipitate collection container 600. Incontrast, FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate conduits 590, 592 runningindividually into the precipitate collection module 600. In at least oneembodiment, the conduits would have their own dedicated precipitatecollection containers.

FIGS. 25-27 illustrate different optional precipitate collection modules600 having a precipitate collection container 620 according to theinvention. FIGS. 23A-24B illustrate an example of a precipitatecollection container 620 connected to an embodiment of the system;however, based on this disclosure it should be appreciated that thedifferent precipitate collection modules 600 could be attached to thevarious embodiments for the system discussed in this disclosure alongwith other water treatment systems having a precipitated discharge. Oneof ordinary skill in the art should realize that the precipitatecollection container 620 can take a variety of shapes and forms beyondthat illustrated in FIGS. 25-27 while still providing a cavity 622 toreceive, for example, particulate, precipitated matter and/orconcentrated solids or similar material and a screened discharge (orscreen) 624 such as that illustrated on an exit port 626. In analternative embodiment, the raised portion is a taller pipe structure(or riser) 626C extending up from the rest of the precipitate collectioncontainer 620C illustrated, for example, in FIG. 28. In the illustratedembodiments of FIGS. 23A-27, a screen 624 is included to allow for waterto pass through while preventing the material from passing back out intothe water being processed.

FIGS. 25-27 illustrate cross-sections of example embodiments for theprecipitate collection container 620 where the cross-section taken alongtheir lengths. FIGS. 25-27 illustrate an inlet 621 at the end of theprecipitate collection container 620 opposite where the screen 624and/or exit port 626 are located. Based on this disclosure, it should beappreciated that the exit port 626 extending above the cover 628 may beomitted. FIG. 25 illustrates the precipitate collection container 620having an inlet 621 through which the conduit 592 attaches to provide afluid pathway into the cavity 622 to allow for the accumulation ofmaterial in the bottom of the precipitate collection container 620 whilewater is allowed to exit from the precipitate collection container 620through, for example, the screen 624 (illustrated as part of the exitport 626). Based on this disclosure, it should be understood that theconduit 592 (although shown as extending into the cavity 622) mayinstead have a connection point external to the cavity 622 such asthrough a hose connector or other mechanical engagement. FIG. 25 alsoillustrates a further optional embodiment for the precipitate collectioncontainer 620 where it includes a lid 628 that can be removed so thatthe collected material can be removed from the precipitate collectioncontainer 620. FIG. 20 illustrates another embodiment of the precipitatecollection container 620A having a bottom 6222A of the cavity 622A witha slight gradient from the inlet 621 down towards the exit port 626.FIG. 27 illustrates the embodiment from FIG. 26 where the precipitatecollection container 620B includes the addition of a screen projection(or wall) 623 extending from the wall opposite of the inlet 621 into thecavity 622B. The screen projection 623 although illustrated as extendingat an angle, could instead be substantially horizontal. The screenprojection 623 acts as a further barrier to the material escaping fromthe precipitate collection container 620.

FIG. 28 illustrates an alternative precipitate collection container 620Cthat includes an inlet 621 that can take the forms discussed above forthe inlet. It should be appreciated that additional inlets could beadded to accommodate additional conduits or alternatively the inletcould include a manifold attachment for connection to multiple conduits.The illustrated precipitate collection container 620C further includes alid 628C on which is a riser 626C, which is an example of an exit port,with a screen 624C along its top surface to allow for the flow of waterthrough the precipitate collection container 620C up through the riser626C while the material is collected inside the device. The variousinternal configurations discussed for FIGS. 25-27 could also be presentwithin the precipitate collection container 620C.

FIGS. 29A and 29B illustrate a funnel shaped precipitate collectioncontainer 620D with a whirlpool chamber 622D present within it. Like theprevious embodiments, the precipitate collection container 620D includesan inlet 621D for connection to a conduit. It should be appreciated thatadditional inlets could be added to accommodate additional conduits oralternatively the inlet could include a manifold attachment forconnection to multiple conduit. The illustrated precipitate collectioncontainer 620D includes a lid 628D on which a riser 626D extends up fromto allow for the flow of water through the precipitate collectioncontainer 620D while the material is collected inside the device. Thefunnel shape of the cavity 622D with a particulate port 629D extendingfrom the bottom of the cavity 6222D encourages the formation of awhirlpool, which will pull any material present in the cavity 6222D intoa downward flow to drain out the particulate port into another cavity orout of the environment in which the system is running. In a furtherembodiment, the particulate port 629D includes a valve that can be opento drain any material that has collected in the cavity 6222D as part ofa flush operation using the water present in the system to flush thematerial out of the particulate port 629D. FIG. 33 illustrates anexample of the precipitate collection container 620D installed in awater storage tank with the particulate port 629D passing out throughthe bottom of the tank. In a further embodiment, there are multipleinlets and risers evenly spaced about the cover in an alternatingpattern. In a still further embodiment, the inlets and/or risers areangled relative to the cover. FIGS. 29A, 29B, and 33 also illustrate analternative embodiment of the precipitate collection container 620Dhaving a plurality of legs 627D to in part stabilize the precipitatecollection container 620D against a surface.

In a further embodiment to the above precipitate collection containerembodiments, a diffuser in fluid communication with the conduit ispresent within the cavity to spread the water and material coming intothe cavity out from any direct stream of water and/or material thatmight otherwise exist. Examples of a diffuser are a structure thatexpands out from its input side to its output side, mesh or other largeopening screen, and steel wool or other similar material with largepores.

In a further embodiment, the precipitate collection container would bereplaced by a low flow zone formed in the environment from which thewater is being pulled, for example a water tank.

FIG. 13 illustrates an optional embodiment that adds an air releasevalve 528 proximate the top of the housing 520. In at least oneembodiment, the air release valve 528 is used to allow air to escapefrom the system upon it first being placed in the water. The air releasevalve 528 is an optional add-on for the above-described embodiments. Inat least one embodiment, the air release valve provides an easy andcontrollable way for air to be purged from the system duringinstallation and/or refilling of the environment in which it is placed.In a further embodiment it assists in priming the system for operation.FIG. 13 also illustrates an embodiment where the housing 520 attaches,connects, or abuts a lower cover 530 to establish a flow path from belowthe lower cover through the openings 542 of the lower plate 540illustrated in FIG. 15 up through the top of the lower cover 530illustrated in FIG. 14 and up through the housing 520. The openings 542,532 in the lower plate 540 and top of the lower cover 530 provideadditionally filtering/screening of debris that is larger than theopenings preventing the debris from flowing into the system and reducingthe likelihood of clogging the system during operation.

Both the lower cover 530 and the lower plate 540 include examples ofmounting holes 534, 544 present in them as illustrated, for example, inFIGS. 14 and 15, respectively. A variety of mounting holes may bepresent to facilitate connection with other components in the systemsuch as the support members 524, 526, the disk pack housing 220 and asdiscussed above supplemental screening and/or filter material. Both thelower cover 530 and the lower plate 540 include an opening 536, 546passing through at least one surface to fit around the discharge outlet232 as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 14 and 15, respectively. In atleast one embodiment, these openings 536, 546 facilitate fitting thesehousing components around the discharge outlet.

In a further embodiment to the above-described embodiments, the housingcover 520 is omitted as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 7-9. Oneadjustment to the system depicted in these figures is that the supportmembers 526 would be shortened to provide a flush surface on the top forthe intake catch 425 and/or the intake screen 426. In a furtherembodiment, the support members 526 would stop at the vortex housing 120and conduits 490 would at least partially support the intake housing 420as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 30A-30C provide an illustration of an alternative wing shim aplurality of spacers 272N and a hexagonal support member 276M connectingthem and providing alignment of the spacers 272N relative to the supportmember 276M and the disk 260N. The spacers 272N include a hexagonalopening passing through it to allow it to slide over the support member276N. The disks 260N include a plurality of hexagonal openings 2602N.The support members 276N extend between the top and lower rotors and inat least one embodiment are attached to the rotors using screws orbolts. Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the cross-section of the support members may takedifferent forms while still providing for alignment of the spacers 272Nrelative to the disks 260N.

In a further embodiment to at least one of the previously describedembodiments, the disk-pack turbine includes a plurality of disks havingwaveforms present on them as illustrated in FIGS. 31A-32E. Although theillustrated waveforms are either concentric circles (FIGS. 31A and 31B)or biaxial (FIGS. 32A-32E), it should be understood that the waveformscould also be sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series ofinterconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms,hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial including combinations of these that whenrotated provide progressive, disk channels with the waveforms beingsubstantially centered about an expansion chamber. The shape of theindividual disks defines the waveform, and one approach to creatingthese waveforms is to stamp the metal used to manufacture the disks toprovide the desired shapes. Other examples of manufacture includemachining, casting (cold or hot), injection molding, molded andcentered, and/or electroplating of plastic disks of the individualdisks. The illustrated waveform disks include a flange 2608, which maybe omitted depending on the presence and/or the location of the wings,around their perimeter to provide a point of connection for wing shims270 used to construct the particular disk-pack turbine. In a furtherembodiment, the wing shims 270 are located around and proximate to theexpansion chamber in the disk turbine. In a further embodiment, the wingshims are omitted and replaced by, for example, stamped (ormanufactured, molded or casted) features that provide a profile axiallyand/or peripherally for attachment to a neighboring disk or rotor.

In a variety of embodiments the disks have a thickness less than fivemillimeters, less than four millimeters, less than three millimeters,less than and/or equal to two millimeters, and less than and/or equal toone millimeter with the height of the disk chambers depending on theembodiment having approximately 1.3 mm, between 1.3 mm to 2.5 mm, ofless than or at least 1.7 mm, between 1.0 mm and 1.8 mm, between 2.0 mmand 2.7 mm, approximately 2.3 mm, above 2.5 mm, and above at least 2.7mm Based on this disclosure it should be understood that a variety ofother disk thickness and/or disk chamber heights are possible whilestill allowing for assembly of a disk-pack turbine for use in theillustrated systems and disk-pack turbines. In at least one embodiment,the height of the disk chambers is not uniform between two neighboringnested waveform disks. In a still further embodiment, the disk chamberheight is variable during operation when the wing shims are locatedproximate to the center openings.

FIGS. 31A-32E illustrate respective disk-pack turbines 250X, 250Y thatinclude an upper rotor 264X and a lower rotor 268X that have asubstantially flat engagement surface (other than the expansion chamberelements) facing the area where the disks 260X, 260Y are present. In analternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 32E, the disk-pack turbineincludes an upper rotor 264Y and a lower rotor 268Y with open areasbetween their periphery and the expansion chamber features to allow thewaveforms to flow into the rotor cavity and thus allow for more disks tobe stacked resulting in a higher density of waveform disks for thedisk-pack turbine height with the omission of substantially flat disks260Y′ that are illustrated as being covers over the open areas of therotors 264Y, 268Y. FIG. 32E also illustrates an alternative embodimentwhere there is a mixture of substantially flat disks 260Y′ and nestedwaveform disks 260Y. FIGS. 31A-32E illustrate how the waveforms includedescending thickness waves in each lower disk. In at least oneembodiment, the waveforms are shallow enough to allow substantially thesame sized waveforms on neighboring disks.

FIG. 31A illustrates a side view of an example of the circular waveformdisk-pack turbine 250X. FIG. 31B illustrates a cross-section taken alonga diameter of the disk-pack turbine 250X and shows a view of the disks260X. Each circle waveform is centered about the expansion chamber 252X.The illustrated circle waveforms include two ridges 2603X and threevalleys 2604X. Based on this disclosure, it should be appreciated thatthe number of ridges and valleys could be reversed along with be anynumber greater than one limited by their radial depth and the distancebetween the expansion chamber 250X and the flange 2608.

FIG. 32A illustrates a top view of a disk-pack turbine 250Y without thetop rotor 264X to illustrate the biaxial waveform 2602Y, while FIGS.32B-32E provide additional views of the disk-pack turbine 250Y. FIGS.32A-32E provide an illustration of the waveforms rising above the diskwhile not dropping below the surface (or vice versa in an alternativeembodiment). The illustrated biaxial waveform 2602Y that is illustratedas including two ridges 2603Y and one valley 2604Y centered about theexpansion chamber 252Y. Based on this disclosure, it should beappreciated that the number of ridges and valleys could be reversedalong with be any number greater than one limited by their radial depthand the distance between the expansion chamber 252Y and the flange 2608.FIG. 32B illustrates a side view of three waveform disks 260Y stackedtogether without the presence of wing shims 270 or the rotors 264X,268X. FIG. 32C illustrates a partial cross-section of the disk-packturbine 250Y. FIG. 32D illustrates a side view of the assembleddisk-pack turbine 250Y. FIG. 32E illustrates a cross-section taken alonga diameter of the disk-pack turbine 250X and shows a view of the disks260Y.

In a further embodiment to any one of the previously describedembodiments, the components are rearranged/reconfigured to change therotation provided by the system in the opposite direction, for example,for use in the Southern Hemisphere.

FIG. 33 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the system installed ina water storage tank 910, which is partially cut-away to show what ispresent inside the storage tank. The illustrated system includes thehousing module 500, the intake module 400 (not shown), the disk-packmodule 200, and the vortex module 100 (not shown) of the previousembodiments. The illustrated system includes an external A/C motor 210Adriving the disk-pack turbine through a drive system such as indirectdrive linkage including, for example but not limited to, one or morebelts (e.g., O-rings) or a transmission linkage that is present in abelt housing 330 that passes through the water storage wall 912 andprovides a compartment connecting the driveshaft connected to thedisk-pack turbine, which is present in the base 324A, and the motordriveshaft. The illustrated base 324A is representative of a variety ofshapes that may be used while providing a cavity in which the disk-packturbine driveshaft is present and capable of engagement with a belt. Theillustrated embodiment places the motor housing 320A external to astorage tank so that the motor does not need to be a submersible motor.If multiple belts are included with the system and the driveshaft fromthe motor includes a plurality of gears, then the size of the belt isselected to drive the disk-pack turbine at a predetermined set speed.Alternatively, the driveshaft engaging the disk-pack turbine may includethe gears in addition or instead of the external driveshaft.

In at least one embodiment the belt housing 330 is sealed and held inplace by a gasket 340 that fits snugly around it and engages a cutout(or other opening) created in the water storage tank wall 912. Thegasket connection provides an advantageous anchoring point for thesystem within the water storage tank.

In a further embodiment, the conduits 590 and 592 are routed into thebelt housing 330 through holes with gaskets at a point inside the waterstorage tank and exiting out from the belt housing 330 at a pointexternal to the water storage tank.

Also illustrated in FIG. 33 is an example of a particulate collectioncontainer 620D that was previously discussed in connection with FIGS.29A and 29B. FIG. 33 illustrates how the particulate port 629D will passthrough the bottom 914 of the tank 910, which in at least one embodimentincludes a gasket or other seal around the particulate port 629D.

In a further embodiment, the system includes a controller that controlsthe operation of the system. The above-described motor modules may beprovided with a variety of operation, control, and process monitoringfeatures. Examples include a switch (binary and variable), computercontrolled, or built-in controller resident in the motor module.Examples of a built-in controller include an application specificintegrated circuit, an analog circuit, a processor or a combination ofthese. The controller in at least one embodiment provides control of themotor via a signal or direct control of the power provided to the motor.The controller in at least one embodiment is programmed to control theRPM of the motor over a predetermined time based on time ofday/week/month/year or length of time since process start, and in otherembodiments the controller responds to the one or more characteristicsto determine the speed at which the motor is operated. In a furtherembodiment, the controller runs for a predetermined length of time afterwater has been added to the storage tank. In a further embodiment, thecontroller also controls operation of the supplemental valve 294 whenpresent in an embodiment with a controller.

In at least one embodiment, the controller monitors at least one of thevoltage, amperage, watts, hours of run time (current operation periodand/or total run time) and speed (rotations per minute (RPM)) of themotor to determine the appropriate level of power to provide to themotor for operation and/or adjust the speed of the motor. Other examplesof input parameters include chemical oxygen demand (COD), biologicaloxygen demand (BUD), pH, ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO), bound oxygen andother concentrations of elements and/or lack thereof and have thecontroller respond accordingly by automatically adjusting operationalspeeds and run times.

A prototype built according to at least one embodiment of the inventionwas placed into a tank having a capacity of at least 100 gallons andsubstantially filled to capacity with water, which caused the system tobe completely submerged in water. The system was started up withsubmerged lights placed around and aimed at the discharge port tocapture the images depicted in FIGS. 34A and 34B, which are bothenlarged to the same amount and have light coming from the right side ofthe image. These images were captured from a slow-motion video takenwith a macro lens. FIG. 34A shows the relative size of the vorticalsolitons that were discharged from the discharge outlet relative in sizeto an adult male's fingers. The vortical solitons spin and rotate abouttheir centers as they move up and down within the water. The vorticalsolitons appear to be substantially flat vortex disc that are spinningand moving based on the captured video as represented in the imagesdepicted in FIGS. 34A and 34B. The images include countless pairs ofvortical solitons that upon discharge from the discharge outlet 232wholly saturate the water within a contained environment with eachsoliton persisting until its energy is discharged via contact with asolid boundary or an obstruction. Although the water is saturated withthese vortical packets of rotating energy, each maintains a relativedistance of separation from its other soliton in the pair withoutcollision with the other soliton. From review of the video, it appearsthat the soliton pairs move in complete lockstep with each other as theyprogress through the water environment while turning and spinning. It isbelieved that this restructuring of the water allows in part for it toimpact the larger volume of water in which the system runs, becausethese vortical solitons will continue on their respective paths untilinterfered with by another object such as the wall of the container orother structural feature.

It should be noted that the present invention may, however, be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments and prototype examples set forth herein; rather, theembodiments set forth herein are provided so that the disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings illustrateembodiments according to the invention.

As used above “substantially,” “generally,” and other words of degreeare relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation fromthe characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to theabsolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessingmore of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, andpreferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functionalcharacteristic. “Substantially” also is used to reflect the existence ofmanufacturing tolerances that exist for manufacturing components.

The foregoing description describes different components of embodimentsbeing “in fluid communication” to other components. “In fluidcommunication” includes the ability for fluid to travel from onecomponent/chamber to another component/chamber.

Based on this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the use of “same”, “identical” and other similar wordsare inclusive of differences that would arise during manufacturing toreflect typical tolerances for goods of this type.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations andmodifications of the exemplary and alternative embodiments describedabove can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scopeof the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

1. A system for treating water or other fluids comprising: a motormodule having a base; a disk-pack module having a disk-pack turbine inrotational engagement with said motor module; a vortex module in fluidcommunication with said disk-pack turbine; an intake module in fluidcommunication with said vortex module; a plurality of conduitsconnecting said vortex module to said intake module; and a plurality ofsupport members connected to said disk-pack module and said vortexmodule, and at least one of said plurality of conduits and saidplurality of support members is connected between said vortex module andsaid intake module such that said intake module is above said vortexmodule and said disk-pack module.
 2. The system according to claim 1,further comprising a housing cover connected to at least one of saidplurality of support members, said housing cover including a bottomopening and a cavity in which said intake module and said vortex modulereside, and wherein said housing cover and a top surface of saiddisk-pack module are spaced from each other forming a passageway influid communication with the bottom opening, and wherein a fluid pathwayruns from the opening through the passageway and the cavity to saidintake module.
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. The systemaccording to claim 1, further comprising a housing having a coverconnected to at least one of said plurality of support members, saidcover including a cavity in which said intake module and said vortexmodule reside, and a lower cover shrouding said disk-pack module andsaid motor module, said lower cover having at least one bottom opening;and wherein said cover and said lower cover define a passageway in fluidcommunication with the bottom opening to provide a fluid pathway fromthe bottom opening around the said disk-pack module and said vortexmodule to said intake module.
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said intake module includes an intakescreen with a plurality of openings, an intake housing defining anintake chamber, a plurality of intake outlets in fluid communicationwith the intake chamber with each intake outlet in fluid communicationwith said vortex module through a respective conduit, and a solidsoutlet in fluid communication with a bottom of the intake chamber. 10.(canceled)
 11. (canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. The system according toclaim 1, wherein said vortex module includes a housing defining a vortexchamber with an outlet axially aligned with said disk-pack turbine, anda plurality of inlets in fluid communication with said vortex chamber.14. The system according to claim 1, wherein said motor module includesa motor; and a driveshaft connected to said motor and said disk-packturbine.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. The system according to claim1, wherein said disk-pack module includes a turbine housing defining anaccumulation chamber in which said disk-pack turbine resides; adischarge housing defining a discharge chamber in fluid communicationwith said accumulation chamber through a discharge channel and adischarge outlet in fluid communication with said discharge chamber; andwherein said discharge housing includes a particulate discharge portextending from a bottom of the discharge chamber.
 18. (canceled) 19.(canceled)
 20. (canceled)
 21. The system according to claim 17, whereinsaid discharge housing includes at least one of the following: a spiralprotrusion running around a wall of the discharge chamber in an upwarddirection towards said discharge outlet, and a spiral protrusion runningaround a wall of the discharge chamber in a downward direction towardssaid particulate discharge port.
 22. (canceled)
 23. (canceled) 24.(canceled)
 25. (canceled)
 26. The system according to claim 17, whereinsaid discharge outlet includes a radius flared outwardly wall.
 27. Thesystem according to claim 1, wherein said disk-pack turbine includes aplurality of waveform disks.
 28. The system according to claim 1,wherein said disk-pack turbine includes a plurality of disks having atleast two waveforms present between a center of said disk and aperiphery of said disk such that neighboring disks are nested together.29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said waveform is selectedfrom a group consisting of sinusoidal, biaxial sinucircular, a series ofinterconnected scallop shapes, a series of interconnected arcuate forms,hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial including combinations of these.
 30. Thesystem according to claim 28, wherein said disk-pack turbine includes aplurality of wing shims connecting said disks.
 31. (canceled) 32.(canceled)
 33. A system for treating water or other fluids comprising: amotor; a disk-pack module having a housing having a cavity, and adisk-pack turbine in rotational engagement with said motor, saiddisk-pack turbine located within the cavity of said housing, saiddisk-pack turbine having a plurality of disks spaced apart from eachother and each disk having an axially centered opening passingtherethrough with the plurality of openings defining at least in part anexpansion chamber; a vortex module having a vortex chamber in fluidcommunication with the expansion chamber of said disk-pack turbine; aplurality of conduits in fluid communication with the vortex chamber ofsaid vortex module; an intake module having a whirlpool chamber in fluidcommunication with the vortex chamber through said plurality ofconduits; and a plurality of support members connected to said disk-packmodule and said vortex module, and at least one of said plurality ofconduit and said plurality of support members is connected between saidvortex module and said intake module such that said intake module isabove said vortex module and said disk-pack module.
 34. The systemaccording to claim 33, further comprising a discharge housing defining adischarge chamber in fluid communication with the cavity of saiddisk-pack housing through a discharge channel and a discharge outlet influid communication with said discharge chamber; and wherein the cavityin said housing includes an expanding discharge channel around itsperiphery from a first point to a discharge passageway leading to saiddischarge chamber.
 35. (canceled)
 36. The system according to claim 33,wherein the cavity of said housing is at least one of a modified torusshape, a scarab shape, and a scarab shape using a golden mean.
 37. Thesystem according to claim 33, wherein at least two disks have at leasttwo waveforms centered about the opening of said disk, and saidwaveforms are selected from a group consisting of sinusoidal, biaxialsinucircular, a series of interconnected scallop shapes, a series ofinterconnected arcuate forms, hyperbolic, and/or multi-axial includingcombinations of these.
 38. A method for treating water or other fluidscomprising: drawing water into a whirlpool chamber for creation of awhirlpool allowing most of any particulate, precipitated solids and/orconcentrated solids present in the water to drop from the water as thewater enters at least one of a plurality of conduits; forming a vortexflow of the water in a vortex chamber that receives the water from theplurality of conduits, wherein the vortex chamber is located below thewhirlpool chamber; discharging the water into an expansion chamberdefined in a disk-pack turbine; channeling the water between spaces thatexist between disks of the disk-pack turbine to travel from theexpansion chamber to an accumulation chamber surrounding the disk-packturbine; routing the water through the accumulation chamber to adischarge chamber; and forming a vortical flow of the water up throughthe discharge chamber back into an environment from which the water wasdrawn and a downward flow of solids to a discharge port.
 39. The methodaccording to claim 38, further comprising drawing water into a housingthat encloses the whirlpool chamber and the vortex chamber where thehousing draws the water from below a height of the vortex chamber. 40.(canceled)
 41. The method according to claim 38, wherein the vorticalflow of the water includes a plurality of vortical solitons that flowinto the environment containing the water.